Schuylkill Speaks! Graduating Student Profiles: Tiffany Bohner
Editor's note: This story is part of a series profiling exceptional members of Penn State Schuylkill’s graduating class. For more stories like Bohner's, visit Schuylkill Speaks! The series is written by Renee Paetzell, a fourth-year Penn State Schuylkill student majoring in human resources with a minor in corporate communications.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — “The best advice I can give to an incoming student is to take advantage of every single opportunity that your college career has to offer. If you have the chance to play a sport as well, never, ever pass up the opportunity. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose Penn State Schuylkill.”
Tiffany Bohner, majoring in child psychology with a double minor in communications, chose Penn State Schuylkill because it aligned with her vision for the future. She wanted the close-knit community of a smaller school while still having the ability to live at home and continue working. Bohner also was recruited to play volleyball, a passion that played a key role in her college experience.
During her four years at Penn State Schuylkill, Bohner fully immersed herself in campus life. In addition to playing volleyball, she served as the president of Future Business Leaders of America, Vice President of Lambda Pi Eta, and the student events coordinator for the Honors Program. She also was a peer academic coach, peer tutor, and a member of both the Student Initiated Fee Committee and Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. Through these experiences, she met inspiring individuals who helped shape her academic and personal growth.
Bohner credits several faculty members for their mentorship, stating, “Anne Mercuri and Assistant Professor Jess Saalfield were fantastic mentors who guided my future success. Professor Valerie Schrader also played a significant role, furthering my love for writing and teaching me to be a strong communicator both in my field and in everyday life.”
From an early age, Bohner knew she wanted to impact young minds. One of her most memorable academic experiences was conducting and presenting research at the Pennsylvania Communication Association Conference. Her paper, "See Me: The Importance of Reading Books Together," won first place in the "Top Undergraduate Paper Award" category. The project, an autoethnographic study, explored her personal experiences and the broader implications of book bans in the United States, highlighting the need for open discussions about human emotions and perceptions.
In summer 2024, Bohner interned at the Schuylkill County Courthouse, working as a site coordinator for the Juvenile Probation Office. The experience provided her with real-world insight into the legal system and reinforced her ability to lead in challenging situations.
“I feel grateful for the opportunity to have worked not only with my fellow co-workers but also with juveniles whose lives I had the chance to impact even in a small way,” Bohner said.
Q: What will you miss most about campus?
Bohner: What I will miss most about campus is the atmosphere and the people. When you are on campus, you have a sense that you are right where you are meant to be. The individuals I met — whether through small interactions or as strangers who became my best friends — will always be important to me.
Q: What is your favorite Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Bohner: My favorite Penn State Schuylkill memory is every time that Darlene Young, the tutoring coordinator, holds a de-stress training. All the tutors come together to relieve the stress they've been carrying throughout the school year, and it's a great bonding experience. Plus, Darlene knows I will never miss one of these trainings!
